Squatters spotted on Pigeon Island after late night swim

A GROUP of squatters has reportedly been camping on Pigeon Island off Cannonvale Beach.

Officer-in-charge of the Whitsunday Police Station, Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan Blain, confirmed police had received reports of campers on the island, and that the Whitsunday Water Police were investigating.

"And we're also following up with the council and National Parks and Wildlife Service," he said.

Cannonvale resident Debra Polky said she had first seen the squatters "about two weeks ago" when three people swam over from the mainland during the night.

"I thought they were going to drown, but they swam back the next day," she said.

Mrs Polky said the group had a small camp "just behind the mangroves".

"So you can't actually see it," she said.

"They've been camping there at night and coming back to the mainland during the day."

Mrs Polky reported the incident to police, but has had difficulty finding who is responsible for the island.

"Everybody said it was somebody else's department," she said.

In the meantime, word has apparently been spreading.

"It started with three, and from then on, it just seems to be drifting and changing," Mrs Polky said.